Prozac is not helping

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Lloyd and Esther

Member Since 2018
Hello, I have a lovely 2 year old long haired cat named Lloyd. He is a delight. I got him from a rough home, where he was constantly tortured by 3 little girls who were very rough with him. He still has some of the symptoms from that time. When I first took him in he was very aggressive towards me, but slowly over time got used to me and now is very loving towards me. However, he hates my girlfriend with a passion. He attacks her, constantly. He has attacked her 4 times, viciously 3 of those times. He sinks his claws into her legs and stomach and bites very hard. "Luckily" this most recent time wasn't nearly as bad and she only got scratches and small bite bumps. He has been on Prozac for about 2 months now, and there has not been a change in his personality. He is the same cat, he has not mellowed out. I looked into re-homing him after the first attack, but due to his aggression and heart issue, no shelter will take him. I refuse to put him down. We have resorted to keeping him locked away in 2 rooms, where only I visit him and play with him. We don't know what to do. We tried a lot of play, he plays with the other kitten on the regular, and gets a lot of exercise and a good diet. But nothing is working. I am at a loss, and I need him to change. Any advice?
 
If prozac isn't working, then he can try something different. If no antidepressant/antianxiety works, then the problem needs to be looked at in a different way.
SSRI don't change personality per se, they regulate abnormal neurotransmitter activity, particularly with serotonin. If he was a people I could suggest meds, but all I know for cats is prozac and valium!
 
In addition to the Prozac try feliway diffusers. Cbd oil could help too.

Maybe only have your girlfriend feed him rather than you so he associates her with food.

Talk to the vet about trying a different medication or a higher dose.
 
JanetNJ said:
Maybe only have your girlfriend feed him rather than you so he associates her with food.
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I agree. He needs to start associating her with good things like foods and treats. Plus I know it will be difficult for her to do this, but it is important that your girlfriend does not show she is scared while doing these things. If she is calm your cat will start to pick up on that and it will help him to be calmer.
 
This might be weird advice, but have you watched “my cat from hell?” Jackson galaxy visits problematic cats in their homes and deals with those kind of issues all the time. I think watching a few eipisodes with aggressive cats can tive you some good ideas.

Best of luck to you! My sister’s dog has been aggressive with me (it’s not small) and has bitten me so hard last year that I’ve got a scar. I feel for your gf. I commend your dedication to your cat. You know that it’s not his fault - he probably has some degree of PTSD.

My sister is doing a lot more training with the dog after the attack and following a more strict routine. Obviously, cats are different, but I think a combination of medication and activity modification is definitely a good start. ❤️
 
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